The Makana Local Municipality received a long-awaited water pump for Howieson’s Poort Dam this month, nearly four years after procurement began.
The pump arrived in Makhanda last week. Ratepayers covered an extra R2.3-million on top of the original cost, for a total of R4.6-million. The municipality stated it is pleased to close the chapter and focus on water supply.
In 2022 the contract went to Manco Business Enterprise, which subcontracted Donnlee Pump Tech. Former infrastructure director Asanda Gidana made a prepayment of R2.3-million without due diligence and was later dismissed. A 2023 agreement with Manco was cancelled after non-delivery.
The municipality paid an additional R2.3-million to retrieve the pump from Benoni. It has referred the matter to lawyers to recover funds and says it is calculating amounts owed by Manco. The company has not been blacklisted.